The Journey from Condé to Sangyé

20+ YEARS AGO...

From the fashion floors of Condé Nast in New York to the wooden floors of Sangyé Yoga School in London, cat had officially traded in her Manolo Blahniks for a more 'grounded' approach to life...in bare feet. 

Originally from New York City, cat has been calling London home since the spring of 2004. She is grateful to have been involved with the previous incarnation of Sangyé Yoga School from its inception (formerly Jivamukti Yoga London 2005) and as it continues in its current reincarnation since May 2011. Since then and despite covid, multiple lockdowns, brexit, economic downturns and inevitable changes in the infrastructure that tested its foundation and resilience...the most loyal community still gathers and makes it what it is. It is unlike any other yoga space in London. IYKYK.

If mere titles collected along the way bear any significance or interest: Advanced Certified Teacher (Jivamukti), Senior Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance UK) and a bit of project managing at Sangyé Yoga School.

LOVE & GRATITUDE: to all the versions of family, teachers, loyal friends – every single one of them and in their many forms. Massive respect to the students who keep showing up and going deep. Only unconditional love to the seniors...notorious biggie smalls the sausage dog & oscar wilde the wiener enhancing the perspective to see all sentient beings with indiscriminate eyes. Lastly, this precious human life for all it has revealed and the teachings, teachers who help navigate it with less contraction...the phenomenal reminders to simply open up + let go.

it is possible to genuinely be at ease regardless of circumstances, simply relax..."impermanence makes all things possible." TNH

interested in more musings/writing? https://catalipdouglas.substac...


Schedule

2026 SCHEDULE

sangyé yoga school in person + virtual classes (ongoing)

in person + virtual classes exclusively for sangyé yoga school
tuesday & thursday
10am/75mins & 6:30pm/75mins
friday
10am/75mins
saturday & sunday 
11am/90mins

format (for both live & virtual versions): more listening, less looking. minimal music, less entertainment. breath is always the best soundtrack!

sangyé yoga school ALL TIMES GMT.

SUBSTACK: the cat-alyst

G&C: GUIDANCE & COUNSEL - an integrated and mindfully curated healing approach to yoga that may, if you wish, extend beyond the asana practice emphasis (or fixation:). Let's chat and see what makes sense: [email protected]

You don’t have to do anything with your mind,
just let it naturally rest in its essential nature.

Your own mind, un-agitated, is reality.
Meditate on this without distraction.
Know the Truth beyond all opposites.

Thoughts are like bubbles that form and dissolve in clear water.
Thoughts are not distinct from the absolute Reality, so relax;
there is no need to be critical.
Whatever arises, whatever occurs,
simply don’t cling to it, but immediately let it go.

What you see, hear, and touch is your own mind.
There is nothing but mind.
Mind transcends birth and death.
The essence of mind is pure Consciousness that never leaves reality,
even though it experiences the things of the senses.

In the equanimity of the Absolute, there is nothing to renounce or attain.

Dakini Niguma

cat's london class schedule
Date Location class details

1st – 1st January 2026

sangyé yoga school

new year's day class + reflection

3pm

11th January 2026

sangyé yoga school

2026 tt q&a

immediately after 11am class

come and have a chat with some tt alumnae as well, get their perspective...
always plenty in attendance during class.

18th January 2026 – 22nd February 2026

sangyé yoga school

2026: foundations for confidence (and refinement)

4 sunday’s: 18/25 january + 15/22 february
12:45pm-2pm
tuition: £80 for all four sessions
(or only £40 for those on a SYS MONTHLY class package)
£25 drop in (or £15 for SYS MONTHLY'S)

each session will cover the foundations of a vinyasa class’s greatest hits: standing postures, forward bends, back bends + preliminaries and modifications for shoulderstand (salamba sarvangasana) & headstand (salamba sirsasana)

it is recommended to attend all 4 sessions to dabble in open classes with more awareness and confidence. the practice ultimately benefits from repetition and consistency. this series will familiarise students with the common postures seen in most open classes and prepare them to modify and improve as needed.

each session is intended to build on previously explored postures to connect the dots and produce a simple sequence to practice at home. some self-discipline will be helpful! this is the perfect time of year to prioritise simple healthy habits. the weeks in between is to allow some space for slow integration of the asanas covered by attending classes.

join a relaxed and fun environment integrating conscious breathing to link transition and shapes. priority will be given to those who can attend the complete course. questions are encouraged and welcomed.

this foundations course is suitable and open to beginners, refiner students as well as teachers who wish to support beginner practitioners in open level classes. invite and/or accompany a friend/family member who is new to yoga. 

book here

23rd February 2026 – 5th March 2026

niseko

japan

25th – 29th March 2026

london, uk

11th edition - sangyé yoga school teacher training 2026: 1st module

sangyé yoga school

17th – 19th April 2026

london, uk

11th edition - sangyé yoga school teacher training 2026: 2nd module

23rd – 26th April 2026

kent, uk

uk weekend retreat

due to limited space - starting with invite only approach from previous retreats...so if i've missed you in the email alert, set me straight!:)

current status: waitlist

8th – 10th May 2026

london, uk

11th edition - sangyé yoga school teacher training 2026: 3rd module

15th – 16th May 2026

stuttgart, germany

sangyé workshops

sys workshops at the new Jivamukti Yoga Stuttgart...more details soon.

29th – 31st May 2026

london, uk

11th edition - sangyé yoga school teacher training 2026: 4th module

12th – 14th June 2026

london, uk

11th edition - sangyé yoga school teacher training 2026: 5th module

1st – 5th July 2026

london, uk

11th edition - sangyé yoga school teacher training 2026: 6th module

includes evening teachings with chamtrul rinpoche on 2nd & 3rd july (7pm-9pm)

13th – 17th September 2026

trás-os-montes region portugal

2026: into the wilderness...northern portugal retreat

invite only retreat/small capacity.
can enquire about availability if you've attended previous retreats.
[email protected]

current status: waitlist

27th – 29th November 2026

zurich, switzerland

workshops (yogalives tt module...and then some!)

more information to follow...continuing ed workshops.

sangyé yoga school
awakening student teacher training
with cat alip-douglas

Sangyé Yoga School: 200hr Awakening Student Teacher Training   
(closer to 300hr with independent/group study -
a true immersive experience beyond teaching asana) 

2026 COURSE SCHEDULE: MARCH – JULY
SPRING SUMMER/11th EDITION

Module 1: 25-29 March 
Module 2: 17-19 April
Module 3: 8-10 May 
Module 4 – 29-31 May 
Module 5 – 12-14 June
Module 6 – 1-5 July
virtual module dates - tbc

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
1st – Review all requirements to ensure eligibility is met and that course dates work with your 2026 availability (no more than 3 days during the entire course can be missed)
2nd – Request the application/reference forms. Confirm that the required number of exploratory classes attended have been met (if not a regular student at SYS/cat) before submitting completed forms.
3rd – Submit all forms and while awaiting practice assessment/interview date, we strongly advise interviewing past teacher trainees about their experience. We can provide introductions and contact information, if needed.

contact: [email protected]

If you are keen, SYS strongly suggests that applicants avoid waiting until the last minute to enquire about requirements and perhaps even get a head start on reading materials/essay. Time to prepare is extremely valuable and would enhance the learning experience.

All dates will be held at Sangyé Yoga School, 300 Kensal Rd, London, W10 5BE.

Sangyé Yoga School will endeavour to deliver all modules in person except for virtual module - several mid-weekday evening's.

Fore more information on the programme, Sangyé Yoga School Awakening Student Teacher Training.

Retreats

THOUGHTS ARE NOTHING BUT THE NATURE OF REALITY 

On a bright ocean, bubbles emerge
then dissolve back into the water. 
Likewise, thoughts are nothing
but the Nature of Reality: 
Don't regard them as faults - Relax.
 
When you have no clinging
to what appears and what arises, 
It frees itself within its own ground.

Appearances, sound, and phenomena
- are your own Mind. 
There are no phenomena apart from Mind. 

Mind is free
- from birth, - cessation and formulation.
Those who know Mind's Nature 
Enjoy the five senses' pleasures 
But do not stray from the Nature of Reality. 

On an island of gold, 
You search in vain for earth and stones.
 
In the equanimity
of the great absolute expanse, 
There is no acceptance or rejection, 
No states of meditation or post-meditation.

When you actualize that state, 
It is spontaneously present, 
Fulfilling beings' hopes
Like a wish-fulfilling jewel.

~ Dakini Niguma

Date Location Retreat details

23rd – 26th April 2026

kent, uk

uk weekend retreat

due to limited space - starting with invite only approach from previous retreats...so if i've missed you in the email alert, set me straight!:)

current status: waitlist

13th – 17th September 2026

trás-os-montes region portugal

2026: into the wilderness...northern portugal retreat

invite only retreat.
[email protected]

current status: waitlist